Review: Samurai II: Vengeance - Most Ambitious Title To Date?
by Staff Writer
October 21, 2010
Overview
Samurai II: Vengeance may be the most ambitious App Store title to date to really max out the capabilities of the latest generation iDevices. The game picks up where the original left off as Daisuke is looking for revenge, and will hack n' slash through everyone he sees. We gave you a sneak peek, and now it’s time for the full review.
Features
The heart of the game is the seven chapter story mode featuring comic style cut scenes. There are new controls moving from swipe based gestures to a virtual d-pad and action buttons. The game is universal for all iDevices, and supports Game Center for online high scores and achievements.The Good
The original Samurai is still an outstanding game, and the sequel gives you seven more chapters of the same hack n' slash style. That great gameplay is improved in every way with more enemies to face that have more intelligent AI mixed with multiple types of enemies like mini-bosses and archers. The game isn’t just cutting enemies up any longer, with adventure elements including switches to find and obstacles to dodge and move through.
The controls have been completely redesigned so instead of swiping the screen to use your sword there are two action buttons for light and heavy attack. The controls offer more precision, and more ease of use which is essential to deal with more difficult, and simply more enemies. The game never has a dull moment, and it is plenty difficult so the chekpoints are great to see.
The game could be viewed as just a buttons masher from an outsiders’ perspective. To be able to dispatch the enemies though you will need to use the various unlockable combos or you will take too much damage. There is also a new dodge button to spin out of harm’s way which will keep you alive, and something that wasn’t easily available in the original.
If you have a fourth generation iPhone or iPod Touch, or iPad you will be amazed by the beauty of this game. It runs at 60 frames per second, with beautiful 3D artwork with constantly moving backgrounds. The game still looks great on older gen devices with the gory hack n' slash animations with blood squirting out on every swipe, and then the critical kills chopping enemies in half, or cutting their heads off.
As you’re just walking along between fights you can’t help but admire the ornate landscapes in the game. When in battle you want to focus on killing, but witnessing the action is just amazing especially when the game goes slow-mo for critical kills. There is a deluxe soundtrack which fits the Samurai theme so well, and there are the sound effects of blood squirting, and chunks of bodies hitting the ground.
Simply playing once through the story mode will make the game well worth your money. There are also multiple difficulties and a survival dojo mode to replay. Game Center is included for online high scores and achievements to add a little more incentive to replay.
